Dave A
11-02-2006, 04:03 AM
I've had a member join an affiliate program and has posted an affiliate link for a book he's recommending. The particular post is here (http://www.theforumsa.co.za/forums/showpost.php?p=1570&postcount=3). He is a good member and has asked me if this is OK.
Although these might not apply to my site specifically, I see the potential areas of conflict as competition to ad revenue for the site, possible SEO consequences (it is a link with a fair number of variables) and, of course, could attract spamming.
Some thoughts from the wise and more experienced heads here gratefully acccepted.
minstrel
11-02-2006, 06:04 AM
You don't in general need to worry about outgoing links from an SEO standpoint.
As for competition for ads on your site, this is in a single post, not in his signature, and it's very specific and on topic. If you wanted to use AdSense or another context-sensitive ad affiliate system, you would not be in violation of the ToS. I can't see this being an issue, as long as it's not to a porn site or something.
Joeychgo
11-02-2006, 07:29 AM
And if you are worried about outgoing links - do a search for a modification I posted some time ago that turns signatures off for guests. (bots as well)
As far as competition - well, thats something you have to decide. But consider it on a larger scale. Are you prepared to have other members doing this as well?
minstrel
11-02-2006, 07:54 AM
It's not a signature link, Joey - it's a link in a post for a book. I really don't see anything at all to worry about there.
And you know my feeling about disabling signature links, for guests or anyone else. "Just Say No!" :mad:
Dave A
11-02-2006, 12:36 PM
But consider it on a larger scale. Are you prepared to have other members doing this as well?My main motivation in raising the issue at all. I'm looking for the pros and cons.
And you know my feeling about disabling signature links, for guests or anyone else. "Just Say No!" :mad::confused: Please refresh my memory. Is that don't disable or do disable?
In a broader vein, I'm trying to find a way to selectively set a nofollow tag if an outgoing link is potentially detrimental from a SEO point of view without allowing html in the forum area. I've just made a BB code snippet to sneak html past the no html setting but I'm only prepared to use it in the vBa area where others can't read it to figure it out. Certainly can't use it in the forum area - you just have to quote a post in a reply to get to see the BB code that does the trick :eek:
The problem, by my understanding, is to convert a "url =" parameter to an "a href" with the nofollow tag.
As you might gather, I suspect outgoing links might feature in the 100 or so factors in the algo and we need to pay attention :D
I'd like to be prepared for the day I might need it.
Joeychgo
11-02-2006, 09:35 PM
And you know my feeling about disabling signature links, for guests or anyone else. "Just Say No!" :mad:
:confused: Please refresh my memory. Is that don't disable or do disable?
Well, David and I disagree on this one a bit. I say - disable signature viewing for guests, he says dont.
I dont disable them here, but I do on my other forums since they are non webmaster related.
Why? Several reasons...
Signatures can throw off adsense if they arent relevant to the thread;
If they can throw off adsense, they can throw off search engines as to the content of the page;
If turned off, it makes pages 'lighter' - less code - easier to spider;
No outgoing links I dont control;and finally..... I figure it wont hurt, and might help. Again, on a forum such as this one, a forum where the members care that their links get seen, they shouldnt be turned off. But people dont come to my car forums to have their links counted by SE's, so there is no downside to turning them off IMO.
Dave A
11-02-2006, 10:09 PM
Thanks Joey. That gives good perspective on the pros and cons.
